Blackhawks Anthem at the United Center Fuels Hearing Loss

United Center hockey fans, listen up: That "Star-Spangled Banner" before Stanley Cup Finals games is a deafening experience. Literally.

When the jacked-up crowd claps and screams over the national anthem -- a Blackhawks tradition since 1985 -- the sound level reaches at least 110 decibels, high enough to create hearing loss in less than a minute.

A typical conversation occurs at 60 dB. That's harmless. But listening to music on headphones at the standard volume -- 100 dB -- can cause permanent damage after just 15 minutes per day. Rock concerts are on par with Blackhawks games and can reach 110 dB.

Everyone is born with 35,000 to 40,000 outer hair cells in the ear. When the microscopic, hair-shaped cells are damaged by loud noise, age, over-the-counter or prescription medications, our ability to hear is hampered. The more noise exposure, the more outer hair cells get killed, the greater the loss.

Hockey players and hockey fans alike should wear ear plugs to protect their hearing.

Let's go Blackhawks!

 

Source: Chicago Tribune